"I was up at the [Siding Springs] Observatory talking to people up there about how they looked out to see a narrow plume of smoke and then it's just - whoosh and they are leaving as quickly as they can with flames at the height of the observatory tower. It was an amazing firestorm."

She said it was clear that sometimes residents just needed to get out and look after themselves.

Ms Gillard added: "I have been looking at some of the houses as we have been coming up including ones that obviously had a huge firestorm behind them but because of the wind they have survived. There is just a randomness to it. It is hard to explain. You need to know a lot more about fire than I do to explain it."

Asked what they needed, Jeanette said, "Rain. Gentle rain."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Warrumbungle Shire Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal: Warrumbungle Shire Council has set up a bushfire appeal to ensure donations from the community reach their intended target. Donated money will be used to help residents who have lost everything as a result of the fire.

The council has set up a special purpose bank account to accept donations via EFT:

Account Name: Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal

BSB: 062-524

Account: 10133579

Bank: Commonwealth Bank

Donations will also be accepted by cheque or payment at the council’s Coonabarabran and Coolah offices or at all Commonwealth Bank branches.